Middle Eastupdated 16m ago2 min read
Archive photo · 22 January 2025GCC Defense Ministers Approve Advanced Unified Military Command in Kuwait
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GCC defense ministers approve opening of advanced unified military command headquarters in Kuwait. They allocate suitable forces to support the new command.
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GCC Command in Kuwait
Gulf Cooperation Council defense ministers approved the opening of an advanced unified military command in Kuwait and the allocation of suitable forces for it during the 23rd session of the Joint Defense Council held in Manama, Bahrain. GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi said the decision was taken as part of directives issued by GCC leaders during their extraordinary meeting in Jeddah in April on strengthening joint military action.
The GCC Secretary-General also condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the targeting of holy sites, affirming GCC states’ full solidarity with the Kingdom and support for protecting its security and sovereignty. The GCC Secretary-General said the security of the Kingdom is inseparable from the security of all GCC states, and he framed the command opening as a step to develop GCC military cooperation and enhance integration among member armed forces.
Condemnations and Mobilization
The GCC Secretary-General condemned what he described as Iranian attacks on GCC countries and praised GCC military coordination in countering those attacks and their effects on civilian properties and infrastructure. Euronews reported that Saudi authorities said 13 people were killed and more than 300 injured in an attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh in October, while the GCC Secretary-General announced the Kuwait command approval amid rising security tensions.
The GCC Secretary-General described the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as “treacherous,” and he said they included targeting holy sites in a “flagrant violation of their sanctity.” The GCC Secretary-General added that GCC states stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia, expressing full solidarity and backing all measures it takes to protect its security and stability.
What Comes Next
GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi said the Kuwait command opening and force allocation were intended to strengthen joint Gulf military cooperation, operational coordination, and collective security. The GCC Secretary-General said the decision reflected leaders’ belief that the armed forces of GCC countries share responsibility to safeguard regional security and stability, preserve national independence, and strengthen capabilities to address present and future challenges.
The GCC Secretary-General said the GCC’s agenda for the 23rd session of the Joint Defense Council contains “numerous important decisions” aimed at taking joint Gulf defense cooperation to broader horizons of integration. Euronews linked the new GCC step to ongoing confrontation, describing Saudi air defenses intercepting missiles and a drone launched by the Houthi group toward areas in the kingdom on Tuesday.